iowa department of transportation snow and ice...

Iowa Department of TransportationIowa Department of TransportationSnow and Ice OperationsSnow and Ice Operations

Dennis BurkheimerDennis BurkheimerWinter Operations AdministratorWinter Operations Administrator

Office of MaintenanceOffice of Maintenance

Iowa Statistics (2006)Iowa Statistics (2006)

PopulationPopulation-- approximately 3 millionapproximately 3 million#1 producer of corn (20% of national total)#1 producer of corn (20% of national total)#1 producer of soybeans (17% of national #1 producer of soybeans (17% of national total)total)#1 hog producer#1 hog producer#1 poultry and egg producer#1 poultry and egg producer#2 cattle producer#2 cattle producer#2 agriculture exporter #2 agriculture exporter -- $ 16 billion $ 16 billion

Overview of operations and statisticsOverview of operations and statisticsRWIS and Weather ServicesRWIS and Weather ServicesDeicing materialsDeicing materialsEquipmentEquipmentExperimental equipmentExperimental equipmentBetter mousetrapsBetter mousetraps

TopicsTopics

Overview Overview

24,692 lane miles of roadway24,692 lane miles of roadway3,948 lane miles (includes ramps) of Interstate 3,948 lane miles (includes ramps) of Interstate highwayhighway6 Districts6 Districts901 Snowplows901 Snowplows1,200 operators, supervisors and mechanics1,200 operators, supervisors and mechanics110 maintenance facilities110 maintenance facilities$35 million snow/ice budget$35 million snow/ice budget

20072007--2008 Winter Statistics2008 Winter Statistics

Salt usedSalt used-- 301,261 tons301,261 tonsSalt brine usedSalt brine used-- 15,625,822 gallons15,625,822 gallonsSand usedSand used-- 59,798 tons59,798 tonsCalcium ChlorideCalcium Chloride-- 120,850 gallons120,850 gallonsStatewide average snowfallStatewide average snowfall-- 59 inches59 inchesDecDec--Feb was the 23Feb was the 23rdrd coldest and 8coldest and 8thth

wettest in 135 years of recordkeepingwettest in 135 years of recordkeeping

Snowfall Accumulation (inches)Snowfall Accumulation (inches)October 15 to April 15 AverageOctober 15 to April 15 Average

19831983--20042004

Salt and Abrasive use Statewide compared with snowfall

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08Fiscal Year

Tons

(000

)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Inch

es o

f sno

wfa

ll

Snowfall Salt Abrasives

Historical Salt Brine Use

7,59

0,76

3

8,91

1,78

6

6,48

8,42

1

7,23

8,21

1

7,81

7,88

1

10,0

61,9

69

12,2

48,9

25

10,6

39,3

82

15,6

25,8

22

4,58

3,64

7

02,000,0004,000,0006,000,0008,000,000

10,000,00012,000,00014,000,00016,000,000

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Years

Gal

lons

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

FY 97

FY 98

FY 99

FY 00

FY 01

FY 02

FY 03

FY 04

FY 05

FY 06

FY 07

Total Snow and Ice Hours of OperationTotal Snow and Ice Hours of Operation

Daily ReportDaily Report

Bi-weekly report Page 2

Iowa RWIS and Weather Iowa RWIS and Weather Information Program Information Program

Road Weather Road Weather Information System Information System

(RWIS)(RWIS)-- 62 sites62 sites

Wind Speed and DirectionWind Speed and DirectionAir temperatureAir temperatureRelative humidityRelative humidityPrecipitation sensorPrecipitation sensorPavement temperaturePavement temperatureSubsurface temperatureSubsurface temperature

Current Iowa RWIS LocationsCurrent Iowa RWIS Locations

New RWIS EquipmentNew RWIS Equipment

Iowa is upgrading RWIS sites with Iowa is upgrading RWIS sites with new equipment:new equipment:

WIVIS precipitation sensors WIVIS precipitation sensors Visibility and precipitation Visibility and precipitation identificationidentification

Road camerasRoad camerasTraffic speed sensorsTraffic speed sensorsSubSub--surface temperature data surface temperature data probe (TDP)probe (TDP)

Temperature readings every few Temperature readings every few inches from 3inches from 3”” below surface to 6below surface to 6’’belowbelow

Road

Substrate

Traffic Speed SensorsTraffic Speed Sensors

Radar detection Radar detection across all lanes (up across all lanes (up to 10 possible)to 10 possible)Reports:Reports:

SpeedSpeedVolumeVolumeLane occupancy %Lane occupancy %Long/short length Long/short length countscounts

Traffic Speed SensorsTraffic Speed SensorsSee if weather is adversely See if weather is adversely affecting travelaffecting travelIs it improving or Is it improving or worsening?worsening?See which lanes/directions See which lanes/directions most affectedmost affectedPerformance measurementPerformance measurement

RWIS AlternativesRWIS Alternatives

Investigating Investigating portable/minimal portable/minimal weather stations to fill in weather stations to fill in gaps between RWIS or gaps between RWIS or for special needsfor special needsEquipped with Equipped with

Solar panelSolar panelCell modemCell modemRoad temperature probeRoad temperature probeAtmospheric sensorsAtmospheric sensors

Forecasts (Meridian Environmental)Forecasts (Meridian Environmental)Four times a day weather and frost forecasts Four times a day weather and frost forecasts are delivered via phone, eare delivered via phone, e--mail, Internet and mail, Internet and DTNDTNFuture radarFuture radarRadar with ground truthRadar with ground truthForecasts shared with other government Forecasts shared with other government entitiesentitiesNowcasts with 2 hour advance notice Nowcasts with 2 hour advance notice provided via pagerprovided via pager

Precipitation start timePrecipitation start timeType of precipitationType of precipitationPavement temperatures at start of stormPavement temperatures at start of stormWind speed and directionWind speed and direction

Weather ForecastingWeather Forecasting

DTN Weather Sentry SystemsDTN Weather Sentry Systems

Bulletin Board Bulletin Board

Alert SystemAlert System

WeatherviewWeatherview

Weatherview is Weatherview is the DOTthe DOT’’s public s public access to RWIS access to RWIS and AWOS infoand AWOS infoWill undergo Will undergo major revisions major revisions becoming becoming available this available this fall.fall.

www.dotweatherview.com

New WeatherviewNew WeatherviewGISGIS--layered layered custom mapscustom mapsNew site info New site info displaysdisplaysNew winter New winter maintenance maintenance toolstools

New URL -- www.dotweatherview.gov

Weatherview Weatherview Site info Site info displays to displays to incorporate incorporate road cameras, road cameras, new visibility new visibility and traffic and traffic speed sensorsspeed sensors

Current conditions

Visibility: 1.2 mi.Road condition: Wet

Traffic Speed: 67 mph.Dew point: 32Air temp: 34

Cedar Rapids Hwy 30 East

Pavement temp: 40

View Forecast

Wind speed: 9 mph

Wind direction: SE

Etc…

View History

Mobile DataMobile DataDisplay future GPS Display future GPS vehicle infovehicle info

Thermal Maps?Thermal Maps?Truck locations ?Truck locations ?Truck activities?Truck activities?

Publicly available Publicly available datasets to be datasets to be determineddetermined

12/5/2005 9:00 pm A2869

Plow: Up

Material: 250 lb/Lm

Liquid: 20 gal/ton

Speed: 40 mph

Direction: W

Location:42.16 -93.602

Pave. Temp.: 19 F

Story City

Map Type:Truck location Road Temperatures

Deicing ChemicalsDeicing Chemicals

Deicing Chemicals used or Tested Deicing Chemicals used or Tested by Iowa DOTby Iowa DOT

Sodium ChlorideSodium ChlorideSodium Chloride brineSodium Chloride brineCalcium Chloride (liquid & dry)Calcium Chloride (liquid & dry)Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)Potassium AcetatePotassium AcetateIce Ban (experimental) with salt Ice Ban (experimental) with salt brinebrineGeomelt with salt brineGeomelt with salt brineIce SlicerIce SlicerLiquid Corn Salt (LCS)Liquid Corn Salt (LCS)ActivarActivarGeomelt 55Geomelt 55Mineral MeltMineral MeltFirst DownFirst DownClear LaneClear LaneAll ClearAll ClearCaliberCaliberAG 100AG 100FusionFusionSodium Chloride/Calcium Chloride Sodium Chloride/Calcium Chloride blendblend

Material Evaluation ProcessMaterial Evaluation Process

PrePre--qualificationqualification

Laboratory TestingLaboratory Testing

Operational TestingOperational Testing

Evaluation and Evaluation and RecommendationRecommendation

ApplicationApplicationRateRate-- 50 gals/lane mile50 gals/lane mile

Spicy Blend Salt Brine

Images after 1Images after 1stst applicationapplication

Spicy Blend Salt Brine

Runway Thermal ComparisonsRunway Thermal ComparisonsThermal images help track cooling effects of chemicals Thermal images help track cooling effects of chemicals as they melt iceas they melt iceTemperature/color scales same in all imagesTemperature/color scales same in all imagesImages cover approximately 6 square feet of pavementImages cover approximately 6 square feet of pavement

Salt brine immediately after 50 gal/lm ‘wheel track’ application

Spicy blend immediately after 50 gal/lm ‘wheel track’ application

Dark, purple colors indicate cooler temperatures

Whites and yellows indicate warmer temperatures

Runway Thermal ComparisonsRunway Thermal ComparisonsLowest temperature in image:Lowest temperature in image:

Salt brine: 1.7 FSalt brine: 1.7 FSpicy blend: 10.7 FSpicy blend: 10.7 F

Salt brine immediately after 50 gal/lm ‘wheel track’ application

Spicy blend immediately after 50 gal/lm ‘wheel track’ application

Taxiway ApplicationTaxiway Application

Image 19 10:02 AM Image 20 10:03 AM

Spicy Blend Salt Brine

Taxiway Thermal ComparisonsTaxiway Thermal ComparisonsLowest temperature in image:Lowest temperature in image:

Salt brine: 4.5 FSalt brine: 4.5 FSpicy blend: 9.3 FSpicy blend: 9.3 F

Salt brine immediately after 70 gal/lm ‘fan spray’ application

Spicy blend immediately after 70 gal/lm ‘fan spray’ application

Image 28 10:14 AM

Image 22 10:03 AM

Image 30 10:014 AM

Taxiway

Spicy Blend Salt Brine

Taxiway Thermal ComparisonsTaxiway Thermal ComparisonsLowest temperature in image:Lowest temperature in image:

Salt brine: 15.1 FSalt brine: 15.1 FSpicy blend: 17.5 FSpicy blend: 17.5 F

Salt brine 30 minutes after 70 gal/lm ‘fan spray’ application

Spicy blend 30 minutes after 70 gal/lm ‘fan spray’ application

Image 52 11:26 AMImage 51 11:26 AM

Image 22 10:03 AM

Image 22 10:03 AM

Taxiway

Spicy Blend Salt Brine

Before 1.5 hours later

3/8” ice on road20-30 mph wind

Sleet

Salt Salt PrewetPrewet with salt brine vs. with salt brine vs. Salt Salt prewetprewet with with GeomeltGeomelt 5555

Salt Salt PrewetPrewet with salt brine vs. with salt brine vs. Salt Salt prewetprewet with with GeomeltGeomelt 5555

Before

1. 5 hours later

EquipmentEquipment

Current FleetCurrent Fleet

900+ trucks (60% tandem axle900+ trucks (60% tandem axle--40% single axle40% single axleInternational 7000 series (20,000 and 16,000# front axlesInternational 7000 series (20,000 and 16,000# front axlesLife expectancyLife expectancy--1616--17 years (purchase 5017 years (purchase 50--60 per year60 per year

Standard on all trucksStandard on all trucksStainless steel tailgate spreaderStainless steel tailgate spreaderPrewet systemPrewet system

OptionsOptionszero velocity, single or dual spreaderszero velocity, single or dual spreaderswinter tailgatewinter tailgateWingsWings-- front, mid or rearfront, mid or rearUnderbody plow or ice bladeUnderbody plow or ice blade

Early Early Prewet Prewet SystemsSystems

Manufactured Manufactured Prewet SystemsPrewet Systems

140 gallon

225 gallons

Iowa DOT designed winter tailgate Iowa DOT designed winter tailgate Dual augers and 250 gallon liquid capacityDual augers and 250 gallon liquid capacity

Dual Augers

Tilts away for easy removal of materials

Anti-icing Equipment

A variety of anti-icing systems from home made slip-in units to trailer mounted systems to tankers.

1,800 and 2,700 gallon Iowa DOT designed 1,800 and 2,700 gallon Iowa DOT designed trailerstrailers

Nozzle options

Nozzle options

Combination Calcium Chloride and Combination Calcium Chloride and Sodium Chloride prewet systemSodium Chloride prewet system

Calcium Chloride InjectionCalcium Chloride Injection

Liquids, Liquids, Next step!Next step!

Experimental Equipment

Laser Guided Wing Plow

Reverse-a-cast Plow

CamerasCameras

Testing 30 camera sets in Testing 30 camera sets in 20072007--20082008Monitor material Monitor material application and plowapplication and plow

“Shaker” Wiper Arm Attachment

Physically shakes the wiper arm to remove build-ups of ice and snow.

Often tied with heated washer system

Also marketed under the name “Whaminator” in Canada

Heated Heated WindshieldWindshield

Combination antiCombination anti--icing/prewet system with icing/prewet system with increased liquid capacityincreased liquid capacity

Active adapter allows for the blade to contour to the road. Removing more ice and snow

from the wheel ruts

Shop Built Flexible Edge

Shop built flexible edgeShop built flexible edge

Multiple Blade Plow Multiple Blade Plow

Squeegee BladeScarifier

or Cheese Blade

Regular Carbide Blade

Multiple Blade Plow Multiple Blade Plow

Squeegee Blade

Scarifier or Cheese

Blade

Regular Carbide Blade

Regular Carbide Blade

Scarifier or Cheese

Blade

Squeegee Blade

Multiple blade plowMultiple blade plow

Why a multiple blade plow?Why a multiple blade plow?A standard carbide blade leaves A standard carbide blade leaves ¼¼ to to ½½ inch inch layer of ice/snow after each pass layer of ice/snow after each pass

A standard carbide blade canA standard carbide blade can’’t remove slush t remove slush from the roadwayfrom the roadway

A standard carbide blade will often ride over A standard carbide blade will often ride over packed snow.packed snow.

Deicing materials applied by the truck will have Deicing materials applied by the truck will have to melt the snow/ice layer left behind the plow to melt the snow/ice layer left behind the plow before melting any new snowbefore melting any new snow

Sand TestingSand Testing

Same Process repeated on highway test section

Weight of sand left by plow- Road test

2.1685 4.79026.8762 7.6864

25.652

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Plow 1 Plow 3 Plow 5 Plow 2 Plow 4(Control)

Wei

ght (

poun

ds)

Extended rubber flap to reduce snow blowover onto windshield and

creation of snowcloud

Extended moldboard

Active Adapter attachment

Squeegee blade

Independently controlled

squeegee blade

Extra clearing path provides an

extension of the moldboard

MidMid--Mount Wing ProjectMount Wing Project

Version 1- Home made system carried up to 3 tanks with 1,800 gallons of total liquid capacity or can also carry 1,200 gallons of liquid and 6-tons of dry material

Version 2- Pengwyn System- carried 6- 100 gallon tanks in a medium duty truck with the ability to also carry 6 tons of dry material

Combination Units

WedgeWedge--shaped shaped tankstanks

450 gallons liquid450 gallons liquidper sideper side7 tons of dry 7 tons of dry materialmaterial22”” plumbingplumbing

2,700 gallon liquid capacity with 17 tons of dry material-Typical distance before refill = 136 lane miles

FlowBoy Combination unit

Brine tank in trailerBrine tank in trailer

Flow boy spraying two lanes with zero Flow boy spraying two lanes with zero velocity spray system by Spratronicsvelocity spray system by Spratronics

More Better More Better Mousetraps Mousetraps

Brine makersBrine makers

Current brine makerCurrent brine maker

MX 120 Front / Rear PlowMX 120 Front / Rear Plow

Wet, heavy snow covers warning lights

Air Puffer to blow snow from

strobes and other lights

Calibration Calibration ScaleScale

Edge rut system

Shoulder rock re-claimerMounted on 3-point hitch with 3 blades to pull rock back to the road edge

Cost- $300 without blades

Combination unitCombination unit900 gallons liquid, 7 ton dry material900 gallons liquid, 7 ton dry material

Sign trailer now has capacity to carry 13 Lang support signs and 8 windmaster signs plus sand bags . With this modification,one person can do job without assistance. Cost $400

Utility container- manual liftUtility box is maneuvered with chains attached to both the truck box and the utility box. The truck box is raised to drop utility box to ground. After item is loaded, the truck box is put down to haul. Utility box rests against wooden bumper guard. Cost-$300

Utility container- electrically controlled

Strong yellow-green border made from

aluminum piece added to traffic control device-

Cost-$250

Chute Delivery SystemDirects material to precise

location on roadway or chute hole can be opened to drop

directly onto spinner for broadcast spreading-

Cost- $250

MiscellaneousMiscellaneous

Iowa permanent snow fence designIowa permanent snow fence design

Top view

Bottom view

Permanent Snow Fence StoragePermanent Snow Fence Storage

Standing CornStanding Corn

TrainingTraining

Driving SimulatorDriving Simulator

Winter ExposWinter Expos

Computer based trainingComputer based training

OnOn--line training via the Internetline training via the Internet

ClassroomClassroom

Simulator and classroom housed in 22 foot Haulmark trailer

Driving Simulator

Computer Based Training Computer Based Training

Computer Based Training (conComputer Based Training (con’’t)t)

““Ice and SnowIce and Snow……Take it slowTake it slow””

Posters developed for rest areas and Posters developed for rest areas and driver license examining stationsdriver license examining stations

Logo and safety information added to Logo and safety information added to the Iowa DOT web sitethe Iowa DOT web site

Press releases included a number of Press releases included a number of messages developed from this messages developed from this campaign campaign

Questions?